The Alloy of Law: A Mistborn Novel

I too was not sure about the more "modern setting of this new series, but I ended up being surprised at how well it worked. I truly enjoyed the characters, the story, and the new world. Or would it be the older world? Depends on how you look at it I guess, but it is the same world as the original series, just 300 years after the end of the last book. I thought the bits and pieces of the original story were tied in cleverly and not overdone. There was also some good humor in the dialogue between two of the main characters, and of course, that dialogue was brilliantly performed yet again by Michael Kramer. Overall, I loved it and am looking forward to the next one. However... It was way too short. I know that any book you really get into can seem short simply because you don't want it to end, and while that is true for this book, this one really IS too short. I was so excited it was out I just bought it straight away, but when I went to download it I honestly though something had gone wrong and I was missing the other two parts! I can see why a big new release like this was only one credit, but even so I felt like I should have a bit more book for my buck. I hope this is a one time occurrence and the rest of the series will be back up to size. Still, I thoroughly enjoyed what was there, and will just keep fingers crossed for the next one.

As a lover of the Mistborn books, I was suspicious of the premise of this book, but this was certainly not a let down. This will be a new series, and I look forward to future books. You don't need to have read the Mistborn books, but it would probably help. The narration again is incredible, this book being a major challenge to narrate as one of the characters uses different voices as part of his disguises. Highly recommend.

I typically don't like books tacked on to a great series that are far in the future (or prequels in the past) but in this case I really enjoyed the book. I do agree with the many others who comment that this book isn't long enough, but I really can't say that I feel cheated. The main story is interesting and complete even if there is a bigger picture that can be further explored in future books. This actually makes me happy as it likely means there should be more Mistborn novels in the future. :)

Wax and Wayne are excellent characters and their interactions are very entertaining. Despite my initial scepticism about the more modern setting, it combines with Allomancy and Feruchemy just fine. Sanderson creates a world that is a plausible result of the events in the original trilogy and it all ties together nicely.

As usual Michael Kramer does an excellent job on the narration.

I finished the Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson yesterday. Obviously it's set in the Mistborn universe, but it was kinda like a combination of Sherlock Holmes and Gunslinger. It's an exceptional book book and much better than the last two Mistborn books he released (I haven't decided if it's better than the Final Empire yet). I really hope he does a few follow-up books and Soon (tm).

Yes there are quite a few loose ends (with even more added in the last moments) considering this isn't mentioned as a series. I'd guess its intended to be the prologue for the next Mistborn trilogy but who knows. Beyond that this is what I have to say of the story. This isn't a western, just think of it as Mistborn with a bounty hunter as the main character with guns and trains in the mix. The provided summary explains as much as can be.

There are only three protagonists in this book compared to the many major and minor of Final Empire (400 less pages will do that.) Wax, his sidekick and a girl who I'll avoid names to keep spoilers out. Wax reminds me of Elend (but less classy and twenty years older). He's interesting, your basic lawman with a past but like Elend spends too much time thinking to be an effective main character but he is. This causes the build up to be sluggish and passively sluggish at that but interesting to see how the world has changed.

His sidekick like Kelsier in the first series is more interesting and I enjoyed every scene he was in. He's also one of the new allomancers, with the ability to slow down time outside a bubble he makes and uses it in a very fun and unique way. If there is a sequel I hope to see more of him.

Lastly there's the girl. She's educated, good with a rifle and around when it counts but like some other female protagonists of sanderson's, sort of just falls into line and most attempts to be remarkable are foiled. What doesn't make sense is that Sanderson does good female characters (in my knowledge and opinion) and there are at least two in this book that are interesting and entertaining. They just aren't first choice as the main heroine sometimes but he is improving in character building.

The magic however is better than ever. As I believe Sanderson said, its not what you can do with magic that's interesting, its what you can't. With no actual mistborn in this novel, there is no one to be the living disaster known as VIn . No devastating force on one side or another (but Wax comes close in top shape). It matters much more here how you use your powers than just how much of them or fuel you have.

The narration is what I expected being a mistborn and wheel of time listener, enjoyable and clear. So as long as there's a another book coming at some point (though I'm tiring of in the air endings) I can easily give this book a four out of five.

(PS- Kill all hopes of having any Kandra or Koloss in this book. The Koloss are mentioned but never explained and the Kandra are never hinted at.)

He pulled that off really well. Transporting his action and 'magic' rich Mistborn material to a western-steampunk-SherlockHolmes future of the same world? I definitely didn't expect that but was very well entertained (and amused). Good listen! - On a side note: very interesting how Sanderson develops the storylines containing religious ideas of the characters. Like a little bonus: nice to have a fun philosophical idea to ponder when not listening to the book :)

Not Brandons best book but really good. His books make you expect so much becouse of how good a writer he is. He didnt disapoint on this one. Worth every penny.

Entertaining, but it is no MistBorn

I enjoy Sanderson's books, and I found this one entertaining as well. There is some genuine humor along with typical narrative that will (unsurprisingly) remind readers of MistBorn. All signatures of Sanderson's writing are present. A magic/power system that is as accurate and dependable as any scifi gadget from 23rd century and there is a twist / innovative way to use the powers to delight the reader. Expect for this case, a reader may be able to guess the surprise use of the power (at least I did, and I was not surprised). I think that scope of the story is relatively smaller compare to the MisBorn series. Regardless, fan of Sanderson will enjoy this book (I know I did) that it is entertaining and very professionally done. Mr Kramer does his usual good work and narration was very well done. There seem to be strong indication of future books in this new series, and I look forward to them.

I thoroughly enjoyed this follow-on future version of the Mistborn series, and as usual, was completely absorbed and obsessed with the story, listening while driving, cleaning the house, doing craftwork, sometimes just sitting and listening! The narration is great. My only frustration is that the book leaves you sort of hanging, wanting a sequel. That doesnt seem likely with the whole Stormlight series in progress. Maybe Brandon will get back to the Mistborn stories sometime later.

I am sure I will be just as obsessed with the new series, as I havent been able to get enough of Brandon's stories since I was introduced to Elantris.

I did not know how Sanderson was going to bring back the Mistborns, but he did it. And he did it in a way that that welcomes new listeners / readers without having to go back to the original series. I strongly suggest the first series, but it is not necessary. This book is well worth the credit. I can’t wait for him to get to the next one in the series. Thank you Mr. Sanderson.